doubt
[noun]
Synonyms:
- uncertainty, hesitancy, hesitation, indecision, irresolution, lack of conviction, suspense
- suspicion, apprehension, distrust, misgiving, mistrust, qualm, scepticism
[verb]
Synonyms:
- be uncertain, be dubious, demur, fluctuate, hesitate, scruple, vacillate, waver
- suspect, discredit, distrust, fear, lack confidence in, mistrust, query, question

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Antonyms: certitude, confidence
Contrasted words: accredit, credit, trust, accept, believe, buy, swallow, dependence, faith, reliance
Related Words: dubiousness, questionableness, disbelief, incredulity, unbelief

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English Thesaurus: doubt, be doubtful/dubious, have reservations, have misgivings, have mixed feelings, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. doubt¹ S1 W1 /daʊt/ noun
[Word Family: adjective: doubtful, doubtless, indubitable, undoubted; adverb: doubtfully, indubitably, undoubtedly; noun: doubt, doubter; verb: doubt]

1. [uncountable and countable] a feeling of being not sure whether something is true or right
doubt about
The incident raises doubts about the safety of nuclear power.
doubt as to
Some government ministers had serious doubts as to whether the policy would work.
There was still one little nagging doubt at the back of his mind.
There’s no doubt that he was a major artist.

2. no doubt used when you are saying that you think something is probably true:
No doubt you’ll have your own ideas.
She was a top student, no doubt about it (=it is certainly true).

3. if/when (you’re) in doubt used when advising someone what to do if they are uncertain about something:
If in doubt, consult your doctor.

4. be in doubt if something is in doubt, it may not happen, continue, exist, or be true:
The future of the peace talks is in doubt.

5. beyond doubt if something is beyond doubt, it is completely certain:
The prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty of the crime.
put the game/result/match beyond doubt (=do something which makes it certain that a particular player or team will win a match)
Ferdinand’s second goal put the game beyond doubt.

6. without doubt used to emphasize an opinion:
Jo is without doubt one of the finest swimmers in the school.

7. open to doubt something that is open to doubt has not been proved to be definitely true or real:
The authenticity of the relics is open to doubt.
⇒ self-doubt, ⇒ give somebody/something the benefit of the doubt at benefit¹(4)

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. doubt² S2 verb [transitive not in progressive]
[Word Family: adjective: doubtful, doubtless, indubitable, undoubted; adverb: doubtfully, indubitably, undoubtedly; noun: doubt, doubter; verb: doubt]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: French; Origin: douter, from Latin dubitare]

1. to think that something may not be true or that it is unlikely:
Kim never doubted his story.
doubt (that)
I doubt we’ll ever see him again.
doubt if/whether
You can complain, but I doubt if it’ll make any difference.
‘Do you think there’ll be any tickets left?’ ‘I doubt it (=I don’t think so).’

2. to not trust or have confidence in someone:
I never doubted myself. I always knew I could play tennis at this level.
She loved him, and had never doubted him.
I have no reason to doubt his word (=think that he is lying).
—doubter noun [countable]

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

doubt
noun
ADJ. considerable, grave, real, serious, severe | slight Without the slightest doubt this is a remarkable exhibition.
gnawing, lingering, nagging, niggling | growing, increasing | personal, private He made clear his own private doubts about it.
reasonable We have established beyond all reasonable doubt that the painting was indeed by Rembrandt.
religious
VERB + DOUBT arouse, raise His failure to appear raises serious doubts as to his reliability.
entertain, feel, harbour, have She still felt the same niggling doubt: was he really telling the truth?
express, voice | clear up, dispel, remove, resolve The announcement dispelled any doubts as to the prince's intentions.
cast, throw Her record of dismissals casts doubt on her ability to hold down a job.
call sth into, throw sth into The proposed development has been thrown into doubt by the decision.
be open to Their honesty is open to doubt.
DOUBT + VERB appear, arise Doubts have arisen over the viability of the schedule.
exist Considerable doubt exists as to the precise origin of this custom.
persist, remain | surround sth From the start, doubts surrounded her claim to be the missing heiress.
PREP. beyond (a/all/any) ~ The evidence proves beyond doubt that he is innocent.
in ~ The arrangements for the event still seemed to be in doubt. If in doubt, consult your doctor.
without (a) ~ She is without a doubt the best tennis player I know.
~ about/over Some committee members still harboured doubts about the plans.
PHRASES beyond/without a shadow of (a) doubt This proves without a shadow of doubt that we were right.
have your doubts about sth They say they'll be here on time, but I have my doubts about that.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

doubt
verb
ADV. seriously, very much I never seriously doubted his story.
privately Lee privately doubted the truth of this statement.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

doubt

have doubts
Scientists still have some doubts about the theory.
have your doubts (=have some doubts)
Everyone else thinks it’s a good idea, but I have my doubts.
have no/little doubt
I have no doubt that you are right.
be in no/any doubt about something
The government is in no doubt about the seriousness of the situation.
leave no/little doubt (that) (=make people sure or almost sure about something)
The evidence left no doubt that he was the murderer.
cast/throw doubt on something (=make people unsure about something)
Research has cast doubt on the safety of mobile phones.
raise doubts about something (=make people unsure about something)
His handling of the matter has raised doubts about his competence.
call/throw something into doubt (=make people unsure about something)
The accuracy of his account was called into doubt.
express/voice doubts (=say that you have doubts)
Many people expressed doubts about the necessity of the war.
serious/grave doubts
They have some serious doubts as to his honesty.
considerable doubts
I had considerable doubts about accepting the job.
a lingering/nagging doubt (=one that does not go away)
I still had a nagging doubt that there might be something seriously wrong.
there is no/little/some doubt (=used to talk about how sure people are about something)
There is little doubt that he will play for England one day.
without a shadow of a doubt (=without any doubt)
I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I was going to win.
an element of doubt (=a slight doubt)
There’s an element of doubt about his true age as he doesn’t have a birth certificate.
not the slightest doubt (=no doubt)
There’s not the slightest doubt in my mind about it.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

doubt
I.
verb
1.
BAD: Whenever I doubt about the meaning of a word, I look in my dictionary.
GOOD: Whenever I am in doubt about the meaning of a word, I look in my dictionary.
BAD: If ever you have any kind of doubt, come and see me or one of the other teachers.
GOOD: If ever you are in any doubt about anything, come and see me or one of the other teachers.

Usage Note:
(be) in doubt about sth (= feel unsure): 'Is anyone in doubt about what they're supposed to be doing?' 'If you're in any doubt about your child's safety, talk to your doctor.'
Note that this meaning is more commonly expressed by be unsure/uncertain (or not be sure/certain ): 'Whenever I'm not sure about the meaning of a word, I look in my dictionary.'

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2.
BAD: That is why we still doubt about beings existing in outer space.
GOOD: That is why we still have doubts about beings existing in outer space.

Usage Note:
have (your) doubts about (doing ) sth = feel unsure whether something is true or the right thing to do: 'We have our doubts about sending Kevin to a boarding school.' 'Any doubts she'd had about marrying him soon disappeared.'

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3.
DUBIOUS: I doubt that she is telling the truth.
GOOD: I doubt whether she is telling the truth.

Usage Note:
When doubt is used to express certainty or near certainty, it is usually followed by a that -clause: 'There's no doubt that he's innocent.' 'I've no doubt that he's innocent.' 'I'm in little doubt that he's innocent.' 'I don't doubt that he's innocent.' In this meaning, doubt is used with a negative word, e.g. not/no/little/not much.
When doubt means 'think that something is unlikely', it is usually followed by if/whether : 'I doubt whether he's innocent.' (= I think that he is probably guilty) 'She doubts whether she'll be able to come on Sunday.'
Note that some people may also say 'I doubt that he's innocent', but careful users regard this as incorrect.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

doubt
II.
noun
1.
DUBIOUS: There is no doubt that she doesn't want the job.
GOOD: She obviously doesn't want the job.
DUBIOUS: There is no doubt that most parents are willing to spend a lot of money on their child's education.
GOOD: Most parents are willing to spend a lot of money on their child's education.

Usage Note:
There is no doubt that is usually used in formal styles when you want to persuade someone that what you are saying is true: 'There is no doubt that the present government has lost a great deal of support.'
This phrase is sometimes used when a 'lighter' expression (e.g. of course, obviously, clearly, certainly, needless to say ) or nothing at all would be more natural.

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2.
BAD: It is no doubt that the rich have a great advantage.
GOOD: There is no doubt that the rich have a great advantage.

Usage Note:
there is no doubt that (NOT it is ... ): 'There is no doubt that the number of casualties would have escalated had it not been for UN intervention.'

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3.
BAD: Without doubt you're tired after your journey.
GOOD: No doubt you're tired after your journey.
BAD: The recovery of the Mary Rose is, no doubt, a great scientific achievement.
GOOD: The recovery of the Mary Rose is, without doubt, a great scientific achievement.

Usage Note:
without doubt = 'I firmly believe this to be true': 'He is without doubt one of the greatest composers the world has ever known.'
no doubt = 'I expect' or 'I suppose': 'No doubt you could do with a drink.' 'They will no doubt be writing to us again.'

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4.
BAD: Another reason for getting married is without doubt to have children.
GOOD: Another reason for getting married of course is to have children.

Usage Note:
Use without doubt with opinions and judgements: 'She is without doubt one of the kindest women you'll ever meet.'
When you mention a fact or something that is generally agreed, use of course : 'Mrs Thatcher is no longer in charge, of course.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

doubt to think that something may not be true or that it is unlikely:
‘Do you think she really is eighteen?’ ‘I doubt it.’
There was so much noise that I doubt if anyone slept.
be doubtful/dubious /ˈdjuːbiəs $ ˈduː-/ to doubt that something will happen, is true, or is a good idea:
Economists are doubtful that the situation will improve this year.
‘You can eat the whole fish including the head.’ Janey looked dubious.
When my husband suggested emigrating, I was dubious at first.
Mum looked doubtful when I suggested having a party for all my friends.
have reservations to feel that a plan or idea may not be good because you think there may be some problems with it:
Health care professionals had reservations about giving both vaccines together.
have misgivings to feel worried about doing something, because it may have a bad result:
Ralph had serious misgivings about changing his career at the age of 50.
have mixed feelings to be unsure exactly how you feel about something or someone because there are both good and bad things about them:
I have very mixed feelings about moving house – it’s exciting but I’ll miss this area.
have second thoughts to start having doubts about whether a decision you have just made is the right one:
I liked the dress in the shop, but when I got it home I had second thoughts.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

doubt
daut
See: give the benefit of the doubt , no doubt

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲